Kamal Nath calls for fair deal for developing countries in WTO negotiations

Ahead of the crucial mini ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation being held in Geneva from 21 July 2008, minister for commerce and industry Kamal Nath met Pascal Lamy, director general,WTO, to highlight key Indian concerns on NAMA and agriculture and discussed various issues for the successful conclusion of the Doha round.

Nath has stated that flexibilities for developing countries have to be adequate and appropriate for addressing the sensitivities of individual members.

There can be no caveats such as number and trade volume limitations as proposed by the US to the usage of these flexibilities, he assert. In Agriculture, India hopes to use the revised text on special products (SPs) and special safeguard mechanism (SSM) to promote the Indian agriculture sector.

Nath is slated to attend a G-33 meeting in the afternoon and thereafter meet  Alfredo Chiaradia, secretary of state of commerce and international relations of Argentina and Celso Amorim, foreign minister of Brazil.

These meetings assumes importance in the light of the fact that the developing countries have been effectively coordinating among themselves in arriving at a successful deal for them in the present negotiations beginning on 21 July 2008.

Earlier, the Nath held briefing sessions with Indian officials including Gopal Pillai, commerce secretary and Rahul Khullar, additional secretary, both of whom are representing India and stressed that India need to negotiate effectively for getting a secure and fair deal in the present WTO negotiations.